A Myers-Briggs Personality Test can tell you a lot about yourself. Usually, we use it to figure out good things like what career path to choose, what kind of leader we are, and whether or not we are compatible with our romantic partners.
However, this article will travel a darker route and explore what your MBTI says about the worst parts of your personality.
Why, you may wonder?
Well, it's because if you are to grow as a person, constant self-improvement is vital, and when it comes to self-improvement, knowing your flaws is half the battle.
So buckle up, sit tight, and grow a thick skin because we're about to reveal your worst traits based on your MBTI.
The Dark Side of the Myers-Briggs 16 Personality Types
Nobody’s perfect, and just as your MBTI dimensions may predispose you to kindness, friendliness, or leadership, it may also incline you toward other negative personality traits.
This article will explore the worst characteristics of the 16 personality types determined by Myers-Briggs type assessments. Remember that this is strictly constructive criticism, and no Myers-Briggs Type is inherently better or worse than the other.
Your unique combination of MBTI dimensions may make you prone to a particular behavior, but ultimately, you are the one in the driver’s seat.
Want to learn about the negative traits associated with the eight personality dimensions that make up the 16 personalities? Read this article.
ESTJ Negative Traits: The Overbearing Know-It-All
Fondly nicknamed the director, you are a natural leader with a strong sense of duty and a love for order, structure, and stability. However, you tend to get bossy and controlling, especially when people do things differently than expected. You think your way is always right and may struggle to delegate. On the off chance that you manage to get help with tasks, you tend to micromanage all the way through.
Learn more about the ESTJ personality.
ENTJ Negative Traits: The Machiavellian
You are overflowing with ambition and have a talent for getting things done. However, sometimes you take things too far, doing everything and anything to achieve your goals, regardless of how unethical or immoral it is. Whether that's manipulating your friends or overworking your teammates, there's no line too far for you to cross.
Learn more about the ENTJ personality.
ESFJ Negative Traits: The People-Pleaser
Caring and nurturing as you are, your toxic trait is hard to see, but it rears its ugly head when it's time to say “no” to someone. In fact, you’d much rather work yourself to exhaustion than turn down a cry for help. You are desperate for validation to the point where you tie your self-worth to the opinion of others, which makes you extremely sensitive to criticism.
Learn more about the ESFJ personality.
ENFJ Negative Traits: The Tyrant
A born leader, any team would benefit from your presence since you are great at uniting people and fostering collaboration. However, you don't appreciate competition, and the second someone challenges your authority or steps on your turf, you may get really nasty, really fast. You don't mind using underhanded methods to eliminate your competition and solidify your status.
Learn more about the ENFJ personality.
ISTJ Negative Traits: The Stickler
Your friends love you because you're stable and secure. Your way is tried and true, and you're unwavering in your beliefs. However, your obsession with the well-worn path is also your undoing. You're incredibly stubborn, refusing to change even when it's unreasonable to hold on to your old beliefs.
Learn more about the ISTJ personality.
ISFJ Negative Traits: The Pushover
You’re thoughtful, caring, and helpful, but sometimes, a little too much. You put up with unhealthy traits and behaviors from others, crossing from helpful straight into doormat territory. You hate confrontation, so you say yes to everything, which causes people to exploit you and take you for granted. You struggle to stand up for yourself even when you realize what’s happening.
Learn more about the ISFJ personality.
INTJ Negative Traits: The Snob
They say no person is self-sufficient, but you certainly come close. Intelligent, independent, and practical, you have all it takes to succeed. The downside is that you fall into the pit of thinking you don’t need anyone else. You look down on people who don’t meet your arbitrary standards, and your fierce independence makes you appear unfriendly and proud.
Learn more about the INTJ personality.
INFJ Negative Traits: The Closed Book
Always willing to lend an ear to your friend’s worries, you’re the go-to person for comfort and advice. The trouble is, you don't let people return the favor. You can talk for hours on end about others’ problems, but whenever the conversation drifts toward your own life, you always have a deflection or excuse ready. You don't share your milestones or hardships with your friends, and people complain that they don’t know the real you.
Learn more about the INFJ personality.
ESTP Negative Traits: The Critic
What do you get when you cross a decisive, direct nature with a charming, down-to-earth personality? The result is a charismatic leader who tells it as it is and is not afraid to make snap decisions. However, your directness, while your biggest strength, is also your biggest weakness. Your lack of filter will often cause you to make insensitive remarks.
Learn more about the ESTP personality.
ESFP Negative Traits: The Hedonist
Nicknamed the performer, no party is a "party" until you're there. You're friendly, outgoing, and spontaneous, and you know how to have fun and enjoy life to the fullest. However, sometimes your pleasure-seeking makes you impulsive, doing whatever is gratifying at the moment without regard for long-term consequences.
Learn more about the ESFP personality.
ENTP Negative Traits: The Antagonist
You’re clever, witty, and an expert at out-of-the-box thinking. This unique skill set makes you a fantastic debater, great at challenging conventional thinking. Unfortunately, you often take it too far and come off as disagreeable and argumentative. Sometimes you argue just for the sake of it and take pleasure in deconstructing others’ arguments just to prove you're smarter.
Learn more about the ENTP personality.
ENFP Negative Traits: The Scatterbrain
Commonly called the explorer, you’re always on the lookout for the next idea, adventure, and possibility. The trouble is, sometimes you have so many interests that you can’t pay any significant attention. They pull you in a dozen different directions so that you ultimately do nothing.
Learn more about the ENFP personality.
ISTP Negative Traits: The Robot
For you, facts and logic are your guiding light. You act with your head first and your heart not at all. This clinical approach to life makes you the most reasonable and level-headed of your friend group but also makes you seem insensitive and heartless. People find it difficult to relate to your opinions, and you often upset others, usually without meaning to.
Learn more about the ISTP personality.
ISFP Negative Traits: The Chameleon
You have the ability to adapt and pursue different hobbies and interests. However, this also makes you unpredictable, as you often avoid following any rules or routines and prefer doing things your way. There is nothing wrong with taking care of your own needs, but your changeable nature can come across as selfish since neglecting your duties doesn’t affect you alone.
Learn more about the ISFP personality.
INTP Negative Traits: The Loner
You're not called the thinker for nothing. Your mind is a veritable museum of concepts, plans, and designs to rival the biggest idea bank anywhere. The only problem is that you spend too much time in it, to the point where you seem disconnected from the physical world. People struggle to get across to you, and your friends complain that you seem uninterested in their lives.
Learn more about the INTP personality.
INFP Negative Traits: The Daydreamer
You are a born optimist, and some of your defining characteristics are positivity, idealism, and loyalty. It is usually a winning combination but backfires when you fixate on a lost cause. You may end up building castles in the air and expending energy on plans that will never come to fruition.
Learn more about the INFP personality.
Using the MBTI for Self Improvement
Owning up to your flaws is never easy, but it is a necessary first step in self-improvement. Now that you know your worst traits according to your MBTI, you can start making changes to address them.
Don’t curl up in a corner and sulk, but instead, make active plans to address your shortcomings and become a better person. That way, when you revisit this article, you can do so with your head held high.